Habitat Selection by Sympatric Spruce and Ruffed Grouse in North Central Minnesota

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Abstract
Fifteen spruce grous (C. canadensis) and 7 ruffed grouse (B. umbellus) were radio-tracked between Dec. 1977 and June 1979 in a 10-km2 area in Minnesota. Additional data were collected from display site and nest surveys and from direct observations. In months of snow cover, all spruce grouse preferred jack pine (Pinus banksiana) upland; from May-Sept. all males and most females selected coniferous lowlands. Strong preferences for display sites in black spruce (Picea mariana) bogs and for nest sites in mixed bogs suggest that such lowlands may be critical for reproduction. Ruffed grouse varied considerably in patterns of habitat use. Logs used for drumming, nests and broods were most frequently in alder (Alnus spp.) or upland-alder edge, suggesting that alder habitat may be important to the success of these ruffed grouse. Spruce grouse and ruffed grouse overlapped little in habitat use during snow-free periods. During periods of snow cover they both showed increased use of upland confers. It is believed that the interspersion of lowland habitats with jack pine uplands allows ruffed and spruce grouse to coexist.

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